

&cr 'I 0 


SERMON 


PREACHED AT NORTHAMPTON, 


BEFORE THE 


FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 


OF NORTHAMPTON AND THE NEIGHBORING TOWNS, 


AT THEIR FIRST MEETING, 

MARCH 31 , l8l2. 


By EVAN JOHNS, A. M. 

— — 


“ And I faw another angel fly in the midft of heaven, having 
the Everlafting Gofpel to preach to them that dwell on the 
earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and 
people.” 


NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 

PRINTED BY WILLIAM BUTLER, 

1812 . 


At a meeting of the Foreign Miflionary Society of Northamp- 
ton and the neighboring towns, holden at Northampton on 
Tuefday the 31 ft day of March, 18x2. 

Voted, That the Rev. Dr. Parsons, the Rev. Mr. Wil- 
liams, and the Rev. John Woodbridge be a Committee to 
wait upon the Rev. Mr. JOHNS, and return him die thanks of 
this Society for die Sermon, he has this day delivered, and re- 
queft a copy thereof for the prefs. 

Attest, LEWIS STRONG, Sic’ry. 

ft !)•’«: ni ti.j at 1 ■*«'. i v 


✓ 


A 


SER M O N. 


Matthew xvi, 26. 

What is a man profited , if he Jhall gain the whole world, 
and lofe hit own foul ? 0r 3 what Jhall a man give in ex- 
change for his foul ? 

ARIOUS epithets have been employed to 
characterize fucceflivc periods of time. Much has been 
faid about the golden age. We have, alfo, read of the 
filver age, of the brazen age, and of the iron age. 

Were we to aflc thofe, who have been accuftomed to 
thefe epithets, how they would defignate the prefent 
age ? it is probable, that, they would not readily agree. 
We know, indeed, that, fome perfons, who, having molt 
awfully proftituted their rational powers, have, on that 
account, called their own time the age of reafon. Such 
conduct this aflembly will regard w ith a mixture of pity 
and contempt. Perhaps it would not be improper to 
call the time in which we live, the age of calculation . 
The merchant endeavors to calculate what gain may be 
i'ecured by a propofed plan ; the demagogue and the 
flave of ambition, — to ascertain what fyllem of meafures 
will enable them to afcend the eminence of power ; and 
the military chief, — how many thoufands of his followers 
mud be facrificed, to enfure ultimate fuccefs to his fan- 
guinary courfe. 

All perfons, indeed, have their refpeCHve plans of 
happinefs ; and entertain fanguine hopes concerning the 
accuracy of their calculations ; perfuaded that, the meaf- 
nres they employ are well adapted and adequate to the 


4 


end they would accomplifh. Difappointment does not 
make them diffident of their calculating powers ; for, 
no fooner does one plan prove abortive, than they form 
another, and profecute it with an ardour which feems to 
fuppofe the impoffibility of mifcarriage. Neverthelefs, it 
is evident to a fuperficial obferver, who takes a moment 
for reflexion, that, in the courfe of Divine Providence, 
fuch an unforefeen concurrence of circumftances often 
marks the progrefs of human affairs, as baffles the great- 
eft calculators, and compels them to fwallow the bitter 
dregs of difappointment. How often are we compelled 
to fay that, “ the race is not to the fwift, nor the battle 
to the ftrong ; neither yet bread to the wife, nor riches 
to men of underftanding ; nor yet favor to men of fkill. 
For, man knoweth not his time. As fillies in an evil net, 
and as the birds are caught in a fnare ; fo are the fons 
of men fnared in an evil time, when it falleth fuddenly 
upon them.” Are we then of yefterday, and know 
nothing ? Are we unable to fay what a day may bring 
forth ? What is the confequence ? That, we can form 
no plan without danger of mifcarriage, or that, we rauft 
renounce all the animating pleafure of hope ? By no 
means. We have the fure word of Prophecy fetting be- 
fore us calculations made by Him, who “ is wife in 
heart and mighty in ftrength ; who poureth contempt 
upon princes, weakeneth the ftrength of the mighty, tak- 
eth the wife in their own craftinefs and carrieth head- 
long the counfel of the froward.” If we take heed to 
lhat Word, and adopt its calculations, formed upon a 
fcale exceeding the utmoft efforts of our imaginations, 
difappointment fliall never blaft our hopes. 

Attend, then, to a queftion of the moft interefting 
hind, ftated in the text : What is a man profited, if he 
fliall gain the whole world, and Jofe his own foul ? Or, 
what fhall a man give in exchange for his foul. 


5 


Here, the following things deferve our notice : that, 
man has a foul ; that, the human foul is of inert imable 
worth ; that, neverihelefs, it is in the greateft danger of 
being loft ; and that, when the lofs is once incurred, 
the whole world can give no computation for it. 

I . Man has a foul. 

This is the diftate of reafon. Here, no appeal is 
made to the fentiments entertained on this fubjeft, in 
all ages, by numerous portions of the human race defti- 
tuteof the light of Divine Revelation, though they have 
given clear evidence, that they believed themfelves of a 
higher rank than the brutes ; and that, the immortali- 
ty of the foul, and a rtate of retribution were tenets to 
which they were greatly attached. For thefe views, 
they were, probably, indebted to Divine Revelation, 
during the infancy of the human race; when it formed 
but one family, and poflerted knowledge, derived al- 
moft immediately from the fountain-head of wifdom. 
Neverthelefs, the exiftence of thefe tenets among the 
ancient Perfians, the people of India, the Greeks, the 
Romans, the Britilh Druids, and the Aborigines of A- 
merica, is very remarkable, and demon!! rates that, they 
cannot be contrary to reafon. 

That, the foul exifts as a principle diftimft from the 
body, is aflerted to be a diflate of reafon ; becaufe the 
contrary opinion is full of abfurdity. Who, in the fo- 
ber ufe of intellect, can believe that, matter, however 
modified, arranged or configurated, is capable of per- 
ception and thought ? On this topic much might be 
faid ; but, at prefent, the moft imperious confiderations 
forbid us to engage in metaphyfical difeurtion. 

Metaphyfics, indeed, are not adapted to anfwer any 
valuable end, except to convince man of his ignorance. 
Not fo His word who is the light of the world. In the 
moft fimple and clear language, Jefus Chrift fpeaks to 


6 


us, on divine authority, fo as to preclude all poffibility 
of doubt refpetting the foul as a diflinfl principle from 
the body. “ Fear not them which kill the body, but 
are not able to kill the foul ; but rather fear him who 
is able to deftroy both foul and body in hell." It is un- 
necelTary to explain thefe words. The teftimony they 
contain is clear, and the evidence they afford irrefraga- 
ble. 

II. I proceed to fhew that, the human foul is of in- 
eftimable worth. 

Here, it is proper to inquire, for a moment, into the 
import of words. When do we fay that, a thing is pre- 
cious ? When great importance attaches to it ; or when 
it is fuch as naturally excites great intereft in every breaft 
concerned. Thus, when the lives of many perlons, on 
the wide ocean, at a great diflance from land, depend on 
a very fmall portion of bread on board the (hip, the few 
bifeuits which remain become extremely valuable ; fo 
that, ten thoufand times their weight in gold would not 
purchafe them. Gold neither fatisfies hunger nor fuf- 
tains life. 

Would you form an eftimate of the fouls worth ? 
Contemplate 

ift. Its vafl: capacity and powers. 

Every organized body, whether great or fmall, pro- 
claims the wifdom and power of the Almighty Creator ; 
and we cannot but admire the principle called inftinfl in 
the brutal tribes ; by which they are difpofed, without 
forecaft, to aft agreeably to the defign which their pow- 
ers can execute. But when we turn our attention to the 
human foul, we feem, at once, to enter the rooft mag- 
nificent temple, and tread on facred ground. She nomi- 
nally indeed, inhabits a fmall earthly tabernacle confined 
to a fpot ; but her capacity includes the heavenly bod- 
ies with their orbits, the laws which govern them and 


7 


the periods of their revolution. In one refpeft, the hu- 
man foul is like the infant of an hour ; but the extent 
of her capacity enables her to witnefs, at once, the birth 
of creation and the diffolution of the Univerfe. She 
furveys, at her leifure, all the revolutions which mark 
the hiftory of time, and even thofe events, beyond its 

confines, which angels delight to anticipate. How 

aftonilhing the improvements effe&ed by the combined 
efforts of man upon the earth ! What treafures of 
knowledge have individuals often poffeffed refpe&ing ev- 
ery department in life ! We ought not, therefore, to 
wonder, that, when we fee the human mind altogether 
(battered through infanity, we cannot avoid the moft 
lively fympathy. “ Babylon in ruins is not a fight fo 
melancholy.” 

2dly. The human foul will excite a ftill more lively 
intereft, when we confider the extent of its defires. 

That, thefe are irregular and dire&ed to improper ob- 
jects, is the effe<ft of fin ; but that, they find nothing in 
the world commenfurate with their extent ; or fo great 
and excellent as to afford man, the pure and exalted en- 
joyment to which he ever afpires, demonftrates, at once 
his high defeent and the importance of his deftiny. The 
hiftory of the world does not afford one inftance of a hu- 
man being completely happy and fatisfied, after finiftiing, 
fuccefsfully, the moft brilliant career. Thofe, who have, 
long, occupied ftations the moft fplendid and enviable, 
have always appeared reftlefs and diffatisfied ; and, not 
unfrequently, truly wretched. Here, let us not forget 
the experience of the wife king of Ifrael : c< Whatever 
my eyes defired I kept not from them ; I withheld not my 
heart from any joy ; for my heart rejoiced in all my la- 
bor ; then I looked on all the works that my hands had 
wrought ; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of 
fpirit j and there was no profit under the fun.” Why 


8 


cannot the defires of the foul be fatisfied by any thing 
under the fun ? Becaufe tile human foul was formed 
for fomething greater than all the world. Here, my 
hearers will naturally recollect the language of Dr. 
Watts : 

“ In vain on earth we hope to find 
Some folid good, to cheer the mind : 

We try new pleafures ; but we feel 
The inward third and torment dill.” 

Did the limits afligned us allow me to dwell on this part 
of the fubjeft, 1 Ihould didribute my hearers into claffes, 
and appeal to the experience of every individual in each 
clafs. I would alk them, whether they do not know 
that, the reprefentation is jud ? 

3 dly. The foul is precious, becaufe it is capable, on 
the one hand, of the moll exalted happinefs ; and, on 
the other, of the mod intolerable mifery. 

The human foul is the feat of the keened fenfibility. 
Hence (he can participate in the mod extatic joy, or be- 
come a fubjett of pain too great for utterance. When 
exalted to the right hand of God, {he diares in thofe 
pleafures which conditute the Heaven of the mod exalt- 
ed fpirits. and which they exprefs by the fublimed drains 
of celedial mufic. When made, like them, perfect in 
holinefs, (he can enjoy ail the advantage of the beatific 
vifion, and drink full draughts of blifs from the river of 
life. When banilhed to that place where God takes 
final vengeance on his enemies, the human foul feels all 
the variety of torment there infli&ed ; and finds “ it is, 
indeed, a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the liv- 
ing God.” There the comprebenfion of the mind, the 
powers of memory, the imagination, and the fenfibility of 
confcience, may be increafed far beyond our prefent con- 
ception. The recollefrion of the pad and the anticipa- 
tion of the future may be fo concentrated on each palling 


9 


moment of exigence, as to make it an epitome of 
ages. Could we call up the departed fpirits of impeni- 
tent finners, they, fully awakened from the lethargy, 
in which they were, once, funk, would teftify that, thefe 
remarks are verified by their experience. They would 
{hew you, how the fufferings of eternity may be com- 
preflfed into each fucceflive inftant of duration. 

4thly. There is a reafon to believe that, the hu- 
man foul is capable of making continual progrefs in in- 
tellectual improvement. 

Our bodies increafe in ftature and in ftrength, till 
they attain a certain degree of perfection, which, in this 
world they never exceed. After that, they begin to 
lhew fymptoms of decay, announcing the approach of 
diflolution. Likewife each individual among the brutes 
foon reaches the highefi: perfection of which they are 
capable. The human foul, on the contrary, appears 
more capable of making frefli acquifitions as {he advan- 
ces from one ftage of exigence to another. 

“ Reafon progreflive, Injlintt is complete ; 

Swift InftinS leaps ; flow Reafon feebly climbs, 

Brutes i'oon their zenith reach ; their little alx. 

Flows in at once ; in ages they no more 
Could know, or do, or covet or enjoy. 

Were Man to live coeval with the fun, 

The Patriarch pupil would be learning ftill } 

Yet dying, leave his lelfon half unlearnt.” 

If, with the confideration of the foul’s capacity for 
endlefs improvement, we conneCt the idea of its immor- 
tality, what a profpeft opens before us ! 

“ Immortal l Ages paft yet nothing gone 1 
Morn without eve ! a race without a goal 1 
Unfhortened by progreffion infinite 1 
Futurity forever future ! Life 
Beginning ftill, where computation ends ! 
fTis the defeription of a Deity.’* 


2 


10 


Thus fung the Poet. Who will fay that, the repre- 
fentation of an elegant writer is vifionary or extrava- 
gant ? He conceives that, the time will come, when ma- 
ny a foul now, comparatively fpeaking, lefs than an infant, 
fhall equal in ftature, in rank, and in glory, thofe of the 
moll: illuftrious angel at this moment ; while the latter 
fhall continue to maintain his relative ftation in the fcale 
of being, by advancing proportionally higher. 

The immortality of the foul (hews the correftnefs of 
what is faid by another devout writer : that, the eternal 
falvation of one foul is of greater importance than the 
temporal falvation of a whole kingdom, though wc 
fhould take into computation the fpace of ten thoufand 
years ; for there will arrive an inftant in eternity, when 
one redeemed foul fhall have enjoyed a larger portion of 
happinefs, than all the individuals in a large kingdom, 
ranged in long fucceffion one after the other, could have 
enjoyed during ten thoufand years. 

“ Immortal ! What can ftrike the sen se fo ftrong. 

As this the foul ? It thunders to the thought." 

5thly. Would you have a ftill more convincing 
proof of the worth of the foul ? Confider for a few mo- 
ments, the attention which God has paid to it, and the 
eoft he has expended upon it. 

When Jehovah made the world, he was content with 
iffuing his Almighty fiat. “ He fpake, and it was 
done.” He faid, “ Let light be,” and light was. But 
previous to the creation of man Jehovah makes a paufe ; 
the triune God holds a council, becaufe the meafure is 
big with confequences of infinite moment. Hence the 
following words are on record : “ Let us make man in 
our own image.” Though man fell from his innocence, 
God foon vifued him with the promife, that, the feed of 
the woman fhould bruife the ferpent’s head. F.ver 
fmee Divine Providence has watched over him. Sue- 


li 


ccflive revelations from heaven were given ; religious 
inftitutions were eftablilhed on Divine authority ; inter- 
efling predictions were publifhed by the mouths of holy 
prophets ; the rife and fall of Empires were made fub- 
lervient to the great defign ; nature was controlled by 
many miracles wrought to accredit the fervants of the 
Almighty ; angels were fent with mefiages from heav- 
en ; at lafl the Son of God aflumed our nature, 
was feen as a babe at Bethlehem, announced by angels 
and ufhered in by the great forerunner. '1 o him the 
Jaws of nature were obedient ; and he lubmitted to the 
mofl painful and ignominious death by the hands of 
wicked men. But he foon left the prifon of the grave j 
appeared many times to his difciples ; qualified and com- 
miffioned them to preach through him falvation to all 
nations ; while he allured his fervants of his gracious 
prefence to the end of the world. True to the commif- 
fion they had received, the Apoftles went forth under 
the Divine patronage, and proclaimed what God had 
done. Divine power attended them in the miracles they 
wrought, and in the faving converfion of thoufands by 
their miniffry. Chriftianity made rapid progrefs through 
the Roman Empire ; and, in oppofition to the violence 
of the fecular arm, the bigotry of the pagan prielthood, 
and the outrage of the populace, often excited by unbe- 
lieving Jews, finally triumphed. It is true, Chriftianity 
was awfully corrupted in procefs of time ; but the great 
Shepherd, attentive to his Church, raifed up faithful 
men who expofed error, vindicated the truth, and eifeCt:- 
cd the glorious reformation. When we contemplate. 
Providence on fo extended a fcale, and fee the blood of 
the Son of God Ihed on the hill of Calvary to ranfom 
finners, we behold what excited the aftonifliment of an- 
gels. 


« Redemptio-v ! ’Twas cieation more fublime 
Redemption ! ’Twas the labor of the fkies ; 

Far more than labor, ’twas death in heaven.” 

III. Though the foul of mair be fo precious, he is 
in great danger of lofing it forever. 

By the lofs of the foul, we do not mean being (truck 
out of exiftence ; but the privation of all good and the 
infliction of all evil. 

Already is the foul advanced a great way towards per- 
dition, as is evident, when we conkder the flate of man 
by nature and practice. What do we witnefs when we 
fee a human being ? What ? But a rebel againlt heaven, 
laden with the guilt of numberlefs tranfgreffions ; an ac- 
countable agent, whofe moral powers are wholly deprav- 
ed, whofe prevailing propeDfity ever leads to evil, who is 
furrounded by objeCts fuited to provoke appetite, ever 
pafllng through fcenes fuited to enflame his paflions, 
■while furniihed with examples to embolden him in the 
practice of iniquity. 

Meanwhile he is expofed to the machinations of an 
invifible, crafty, vigilant and malicious enemy ever ready 
and determined to lofe no opportunity to deftroy the 
foul. Such is the prince of the aerial powers, “ the fpirit 
which worketh in the children of difobedience.” 

Neverthelefs, the generality ot mankind are ignorant 
of their danger ; as they are neither convinced of their 
guilt, nor feel the plague of their hearts, nor confider 
that, they tread on flippery places, whence they may, in 
• a moment, be precipitated to eternal ruin. 

What renders the (late of the foul more perilous is the 
avcrfion from the only plan of fafety natural to every fon 
and daughter of Adam. So (land they affcCled towards 
the gofpel. The hopelefs evil of the human heart refills 
its healing influence. To one fet of human beings, the 
fuperjtitious , the doftrine of the crofs has ever been a 


13 


Humbling block ; and to another clafs, the conceited , it is 
foolifhnefs. Hence is it, that, the meffengers of the 
Prince of peace have fo often been abufed and their 
overtures reje&ed. Who will lay that, beings, thus 
circum (lanced, while they cannot be releafed from their 
obligations to a holy and juft God, are not in the great- 
eft danger ? In fatt, millions are going to perdition and 
millions more are following them. 

IV. We are now to prove that, the whole world, 
could it be gained, cannot compenfate for the lofs of 
one foul. 

I faid could it be gained, for in reality that is impoflible. 
A thing cannot be gained unlefs it can be enjoyed. 
Gain fignifies advantage. But of what avail is nominal 
polfeffion without enjoyment ? Now all the worldly en- 
joyments of which man is capable are comprized within 
a fmall compafs. The laborious man, flulhed with health, 
has more enjoyment from the plained food than pamper- 
ed opulence from the richeft delicacies, 

“ Man wants but little here below ; 

Nor wants that little long.” 

Could our capacity for fenfual enjoyment be commen- 
furate with the world ; all the fupplies it affords would 
be no compenfation for the lofs of the foul ; becaufe af- 
ter the lapfe of a few years the world will be no more. 
When “ the heavens fhall have paffed away with a great 
noife, the elements melted with fervent heal, and the 
earth alfo, with all the works that are therein fhall have 
been burnt up.” How poor would the proprietor of 
the whole world appear ! 

But we are willing to fuppofc that, the world may 
laft forever, and that, one perfon, could at once, enjoy 
the whole of it ; even then it could not compenfate for 
the lofs of the foul ; becaufe the immortal fpirit, of far 
nobler rank than the duft on which we tread, and poffef- 


14 


fing capacious powers for intellectual blifs, can never be 
made happy by fenfual enjoyment. Though ii Ihould 
have the world under its control, while excluded from 
thofe pleafures for which it was formed, it muft be a 
ftranger to fatisfa&ion. Has not the hiftory of man fur- 
nifhed, in faft, many inftances of perfons being intolera- 
bly wretched, while furrounded by all the fplendor of 
Royalty, and having at their difpofal the choiceft fupplies 
of the mod diftant regions ? So true is it, that, “ man's 
life confifteth not in the abundance of the things which 
he pofleffeth.” Attend again to the language of Dr. 
Young : 

“Say, dofi: thou know what it [the foul] is ?or what thou art? 

Knoweft thou the importance of a foul immortal ? 

Behold this midnight glory : worlds on worlds ! 

Amazing pomp ! Redouble this amaze ; 

Ten thoufand add : add twice ten thou find more ; 

Then weigh the whole, one foul outweighs them all ; 

And calls the aftonifhing magnificence 

Of vwintelligent creation — poor.” 

Hence we learn that, thofe, whofe conduft is fwayed 
by an attachment to the world, err exceedingly in their 
calculations. 

With them the world is every thing. What does 
not include either the pleafures, or the honors, or the 
pofieffions of the world, they account as nothing. Be- 
caufe property, according to their opinion, may com- 
mand whatever can be defired ; riches excite their ut- 
mofl: exertions ; and hence it comes to pafs, that, 
the love of money is the root of all evil. Thofe, who 
profper in the world, arc objefts of general envy ; the 
road to preferment is filled with multitudes joftling one 
another ; and thofe who have afeended the highelt pin- 
nacle of honor are thrown headlong by violent competi- 
tors. Alas ! What madnefs pofTelfes the hearts of the 
children of men ! Were you to hear a perfon affert that. 


15 


mines of wealth are contained in the ever varying colors 
of a bubble, and fee him aft accordingly, would you not 
pronouce him infane ? Were you to witnefs his exchange 
of the mod folid treafures for the momentary gratifica- 
tions of his eyes, would you not pronounce him utterly 
dcftitute of rationality ? But fuch eonduft would difplay 
the wifdora of Solomon compared with their folly, who 
lofe their fouls for all that is in the world ; “ the lull of 
the eye, the lull of the flcfh, and the pride of life 
which afford no fatisfaftion, and pafs away while they 
produce the fatal enchantment. The children of this 
world, however wife in their generation, are, certainly, 
the worfi: calculators on earth. 

41 They doat ; on what ? Immortal views apart, 

A region of outfides ! a land of fhadows ! 

A fruitful field of flowery promifes ; 

A v'ildernefs for joys, perpleit with doubts 
And fharp with thorns ! a troubled ocean fpread 
With bold adventurers ; their all on board ; 

No fecond hope, if, here, their fortune frown ; 

Frown foon it muflV 

Our fuhjeft fhews what an awful refponfibility refts on 
every human being. 

Every child of Adam is entrufled with a foul, capable 
of high improvement, fumifhed with exalted powers ; 
and for that foul he mud give an account unto God. Lit- 
tle do they think, who make the mofl unworthy ufe of 
their faculties, that, God will require it at their hands ; — 
that the kcennefs of their remorfe, and the bitternefs of 
their anguifh will be proportional to the extent of their 
prefent folly. My hearers ! Throw away empires and 
be blamelefs ; but you cannot murder your fouls without 
kiadling a fire which will burn forever ; — without fal- 
ling a prey to the worm which will never die ; — without 
arming, againfl: yourfelves, with inftruments of torture, 
the Omnipotence of the Eternal God. 


16 


Let it not be thought, that, the refponfibility, lying 
upon us, refpe&s ourfelves only ; fince many circumftan- 
ces and relations exift, which extend it to the fouls of 
others. 

That, folemn obligations reft on parents, guardians, 
and minifters refpe&ing thole committed to their care, 
no one will deny. But that, private chrillians, as fuch, 
are bound to care for the eternal concerns of their fel- 
low men, many do not confider. Neverthelefs, can any 
thing be more evident than that, we ought to impart 
to others what has been freely given to us ? Be- 
lides, it is a command of the law of Mofcs ; “ Thou fhalt 
not fulfer fin to lie at thy brother’s door.” And, does 
not the civil law confider the perfon chargeable, as an 
acceflbry, with the guilt of murder, who does nor, when 
able, prevent the commiffion of it ? Who will fay that 
the Divine Law does not recognize the fame principle, 
with regard to the fpiritual welfare and eternal falvation 
of our fellow-men ? 

Confidering the worth of the foul and the danger to 
which it is expofed, it would be flrange, if none of my 
hearers were difpofed, with uncommon earneflnefs, to 
alk, What they muft do to enfure a happy and glorious 
immortality ? The anfwer is ready. We mull exercife 
the c< faith which works by love.” In other words, wc 
mufl “ obey the gofpei,” by embracing the Saviour, and 
loving our fellow creatures, as He loved us. Such is 
the new commandment given by him. The entrance of 
heaven will be barred forever againll us, fhould we be 
found deftitutcof true benevolence. That is the high 
poliflt of which the foul is capable ; fo that its glory 
fhall far exceed the brighten: luftre ever difplayed by the 
diamond. That is the Supreme Law which will forever 
govern the heavenly world, and cement the fociety of 
angels and “ the fpirits of juft men made perfeft.” The 


17 


foul, a&uated in her movements by benevolence, bears 
a ftrong refemblance of Cod, and even makes the Dei- 
ty her refidence. For “ he that dwelleth in love dwel- 
leth in God ; for God is love.” 

Here, then it is natural to inflitute the enquiry, How 
(hall we, mod fuccefsfully, cultivate benevolence ? Nev- 
er let it be forgotten, that, the principle mull: firft be 
implanted in the felfilh heart of man by the fpirit of 
God in regeneration. But the mofl effectual method, 
we can take to cherifh the heaven-born principle, and 
fan the facred fpark into a flame which {hall blaze 
through eternal ages, is beneficence. Thofe who do 
good to their fellow creatures, from pure love, experi- 
ence fuch exquifite pleafure in the work, as that, in pro- 
cefs of time, it becomes their ruling paflion j and they 
rapidly advance in maturity for that region whofe King 
is love and whofe duration is eternity. 

You will, therefore, permit, nay, you expett, the 
preacher to urge on you the nobleft: fpecies of benevo- 
lence ever contemplated by man : the adoption of the 
necefiary meafures to fend the glad tidings of falvation 
to the heathen “ who fit in darknefs and in the valley 
of the fliadow of death.” Of this we may truly fay, 
“ eye hath not feen, ear hath not heard, nor can the 
heart of man conceive the things'* which may grow out 
of it. With regard to this great work, times of great 
inattention and lukewarmnefs have pafled over the prot- 
eftant world, “ which God winked at.” “ But now he 
commands chriftians every where” to concert and execute 
plans to bring all nations to the knowledge of the truth. 
By events of a recent date Divine Providence calls on 
us, folemnly, to awake from our lethargy, and ufe our 
utmoft efforts to difiipate the grofs darknefs which has, 
for ages, covered fo large a portion of the human race. 

The great commercial intcrcourfe which has been ef- 


3 


18 


tabliffed between diftant parts of the world affords the 
greateft facility to fend, in faft-failing (hips, to periling 
millions, the ineftimable treafure of divine truth, in ex- 
change for the wealth which has been wafted to our 
{bores. 

The great events contemporary with ourfelves have 
removed the veil from very interefting portions of 
prophecy, enabled chriftian interpreters to elucidate them 
with a great degree of certainty, and given us affurance, 
that, “ the fet time to favor Zion” is at hand ; when 
the times of the gentiles {hall have been fulfilled, when 
the fymbolical holy city {hall ceafe to be trodden under 
foot, and when He, “ who holds the wind in his fift,” 
fhall fay “ to the north, give up ; and to the fouth, 
keep not back ; bring my Tons from far, and my daugh- 
ters from the ends of the earth.” 

All denominations of chriftians and all ranks of focie- 
ty in the country of our forefathers, obedient to the 
calls of Providence, and the commands of feripture, have 
joined in one great effort to communicate divine truth to 
the pagan world. 

The prejudices of heathens and mahomedans, once 
thought invincible, have begun to yield, and the fuccefs, 
which, through the divine bleffng, has already crowned 
the labors of chriftian Miffionaries is very confpicuous. 

The “ Refearches” of the chriftian Traveller in 
India have fet before us the abominations of Paganifm 
in all their horror. The enormity attending the immo- 
lation of the widow on the funeral pile of her deceafed 
hufband, hides his “ diminifhed head” when you fur- 
vey the head-quarters of Idolatry at Juggernaut. In 
that horrid region, you fee the road to the diftance of 
fifty miles ftrewed with the bones of pilgrims. There 
you are {hocked with the fqualid and ghaftly appearance 
of the dupes of fuperflition, while you are naufeated by 


19 


the noifome effluvia peculiar to the place. There, as 
parts of worfflip, are difplayed feenes of impurity, over 
which modefty throws a veil. At the golgotha of that 
place, you fee the carcafes of Moloch’s victims devoured 
by dogs and vultures, fometimes beginning their attacks 
before the pilgrims be quite dead. Paufe a moment 
and look at thole two little children Handing by their dy- 
ing mother, and looking at the unclean animals of (hock- 
ing tamenefs, and eager to feize their prey. They are 
afked, where is their home ? and anfwer : “ We have 
no home but where our mother is.” Did you ever 
hear a voice more plaintive ? Does not this occurrence, 
in connexion with the loud and continued fnouts of the 
countlefs multitude wordiipping the grim ldol,acco(l the 
ears of chriftian benevolence in the following language ? 
•'Come over and help us.” Yes, and not in vain. 
The call has been heard and obeyed by a number of 
young men in New England. Having left their native 
land, and their friends, without expefling to return, they 
are now traverfing the ocean towards the (liores of India. 
Shall not our “ hearts be towards the generous youths 
who offered themfelves willingly to the work of the 
Lord ?” Mod affuredly, ye, my hearers, are ready to 
fay : “ Proceed ye minifters of the Prince of peace, to- 
ward the place of your deftioation, ftrong in the grace 
which is in Chrift Jefus, free from anxiety about the 
means of fupport ; becaufe your countrymen will not 
fail to contribute largely towards the fupply of all your 
wants. Tour objeft is, not to gratify curiofity, not to 
accumulate wealth, not to fpread the ravages of war over 
thofe plains which have often experienced its deflations, 
and been manured with human blood : but — to fpread 
the knowledge of divine truth, to aboliffl the molt hor- 
rid fuperltition, to refeue widows from the burning pile, 
to deliver millions from worfe than Egyptian darkaefs. 


20 


to awaken in their breads the feelings of humanity, to 
infpire them with fentiments of benevolence, “ to warn 
them to flee from the wrath to come,” to pluck them 
as brands from everlafting burnings, and introduce them 
V to an inheritance incorruptible.” 

This fubjeft will not fail to excite the generous fympa- 
thy of the female part of my hearers. They will re- 
member that, the chriftian fyftem, while it enjoins proper 
fubordination, has raifed woman from a ftate of depref- 
fton and flavery, given her due importance in fociety, 
and inverted her with true dignity. In thofe regions, 
where the influence of chrirtianity has not been felt, the 
condition of females is truly deplorable. This has been 
the cafe in India from very early ages, as is evident from 
the “ Inrtitutes of Brama” publifiied within a few years 
in the Englifli language, lhat is the moft ancient code 
of laws extant, predicated on merely human authority ; 
and by them the fairer portion of the human race is fyf- 
tematically deprdfed. My fair hearers will, therefore, 
be fuccefsfully exhorted to ufe all their influence with 
their hufbands, with their fons, wdth their brothers and 
friends, to lupport the caufe which we are pleading. 
They will be its powerful advocates in every focial cir- 
cle ; and frown on thofe wdio either withhold their fup- 
port through indifference or prefume to charge its pat- 
rons with the extravagance of enthufiafm. Such ufc of 
their influence will contribute, at once, to improve their 
hearts, to make them more amiable, and promote the 
melioration of the world. Then will they be inrtrumen- 
tal towards the accbmplifhment of the firft and moft pre- 
cious promife given to the human race : that, the feed 
of the woman fhculd bruife the ferpent’s head. 

Indeed, fo highly rational is the undertaking before 
us, as that, 1 cannot but hope that, thofe who exclufive- 
ly call themfdves rational , though they inhabit the frigid 


zone of chriflianity, will be difpofed ‘to give feme fup- 
port to chriftian midionaries. They mull know that, 
any modification of chriflianity is infinitely preferable to 
that (late of things infeparable from the worfhip of the 
Indian Moloch. But (hould they finally withhold their 
aid and refufe to advance any portion of their filver and 
gold ; let them know that, the work will not prove 
abortive ; becaufe “ enlargement and deliverance to the 
purchafe of Chrifl’s blood {hall arife from another place ;** 
fince God has determined that, “ the prifoners Jhall go 
forth j’* and that, “ the heathen Jhall be given to his 
fon Jefus for his inheritance, and the uttcrmofl parts of 
the earth for his poffeffion.” Thus, the avaricious, the 
difaffefted and the lukewarm (hall lofe the honor at- 
tached to a co-operation with God in accomplifhing the 
defigns of everlafling love. 

One great fource of fupport in trouble as well as a 
powerful motive to exertion to the apoflle Paul was his 
anticipation of the pleafure he fliould have at “ the glo- 
rious appearing of the great God and our Saviour j” 
when he fhould be able to fay, “ Lord here am I and 
the children which thou haft given me.” “ And what, 
faid he, is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are 
not even ye in the prefence of our Lord Jefus Chrift at 
his coming ? For ye are our glory and joy.” May not 
every chriftian, who, in a private ftation, does what he 
can towards the furtherance of the gofpel, look forward 
to the enjoyment of fimilar pleafure in the great day ? 
Yes. And the fpirit of prophecy has diftinguifhed, in 
a particular manner, the exertions which {hall be made 
immediately previous to the glorious ftate of the Church 
in the milienial age. In reference to the period in 
which we live. Holy Writ contains the following lan- 
guage : They that be wife fhall fhine as the bright- 

nefs of the firmament j and they, that, turn many unto 


righteoufnefs, as the ftars forever and ever.” Let be- 
nevolent chriltians of the prefent hour, therefore, look 
forward to that day, when, raifcd in the glory of their 
Redeemer, they {hall meet, before the throne of God, 
the fwarthy inhabitants of India arrayed in the fame glo- 
ry, and receive their grateful acknowledgments in the 
prefence of the Chief Shepherd. Will they not fay ? 
“Ye faw us in a perifliing fate, had compaflion on us, 
and fent to us the melfengers of divine truth. To you, 
under Providence, are we indebted for the glory in 
which we now appear ; and we are confident that your 
inftrumentality in our deliverance will increafe your hap- 
pinefs through eternal ages.” Nor will the benevolent 
ehriftian fall ftiort of the Saviour’s approbation and ap- 
plaufe : “ Well done thou good and faithful fervant, 
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” 
















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